Feast

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 13 : 16-17, 22-25

So Paul arose, motioned to them for silence and began, “Fellow Israelites and also all you who fear God, listen. The God of our people Israel chose our ancestors, and after He had made them increase during their stay in Egypt, He led them out by powerful deeds.

After that time, God removed Saul and raised up David as king, to whom He bore witness saying : I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all I want him to do.

It is from the descendants of David that God has now raised up the promised Saviour of Israel, Jesus. Before He appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was ending his life’s work, he said : ‘I am not what you think I am, for after me another One is coming Whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'”

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 88 : 4-5, 16-17, 27 and 29

You said, “I have made a covenant with David, My chosen one; I have made a pledge to My servant. I establish his descendants forever; I build his throne for all generations.”

Blessed is the people who know Your praise. They walk in the light of Your face. They celebrate all day Your Name and Your protection lifts them up.

He will call on Me, “You are my Father, my God, my Rock, my Saviour.” I will keep My covenant firm forever, and My love for him will endure.

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Saturday, 24 December 2022 : Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Isaiah 62 : 1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, for Jerusalem I will not keep silent, until her holiness shines like the dawn and her salvation flames like a burning torch. The nations will see your holiness and all the kings your glory. You will be called by a new name which the mouth of YHVH will reveal.

You will be a crown of glory in the hand of YHVH, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will you be named Forsaken; no longer will your land be called Abandoned; but you will be called My Delight and your land Espoused. For YHVH delights in you and will make your land His spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin, so will your Builder marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022: Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface of the Nativity, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Offertory (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 95 : 11, 13

Laetentur caeli et exsultet terra ante faciem Domini : quoniam venit.

English translation

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the face of the Lord, because He came.

Offertory (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Psalm 92 : 1-2

Deus firmavit orbem terrae, qui non commovebitur : parata sedes Tua, Deus, ex tunc, a saeculo Tu es.

English translation

God had established the world, which shall not be moved. Your throne, o God, is prepared from of old. You are from everlasting.

Offertory (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 88 : 12, 15

Tui sunt caeli et Tua est terra : orbem terrarum et plenitudinem Ejus Tu fundasti : justitia et judicium praeparatio sedis Tuae.

English translation

Yours are the heavens, and Yours is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof You have founded, justice and judgment are the preparation of Your throne.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Secret (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Accepta Tibi sit, Domine, quaesumus, hodiernae festivitatis oblatio : ut, Tua gratia largiente, per haec sacrosancta commercia, in illius inveniamur forma, in quo Tecum est nostra substantia : Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May the oblation of this day’s festivity, we pray to You, o Lord, find acceptance with You, that, by the bounty of Your grace, we may, through this sacred intercourse, be found made like unto Him in Whom our substance is united with You. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Munera nostra, quaesumus, Domine, Nativitatis hodiernae mysteriis apta proveniant, et pacem nobis semper infundant : ut, sicut homo genitus idem refulsit et Deus, sic nobis haec terrena substantia conferat, quod divinum est. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May our gifts, we pray to You, o Lord, come forth agreeable to the mysteries of this day’s Nativity, and may they shower upon us peace, that as He Who was begotten as Man shone forth also as God, so it may also be that this earthly substance bring us that which is divine. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Oblata, Domine, munera, nova Unigeniti Tui Nativitate sanctifica : nosque a peccatorum nostrorum maculis emunda. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Sanctify our oblations, o Lord, by the new birth of Your only begotten Son, and cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Nativity

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostrae oculis lux Tuae claritatis infulsit : ut, dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilium amorem rapiamur.

Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus hymnum gloriae Tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, because by the mystery of the Word made flesh, from Your brightness a new light had risen to shine on the eyes of our souls, in order that, God becoming visible to us, we may be borne upward to the love of things invisible.

And therefore with the Angels and Archangels, with the Dominions and Powers, with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing of Your glory without end saying :

Communion

Communion (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 109 : 3

In splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui Te.

English translation

In the brightness of the saints, from the womb before the day-star I have begotten You.

Communion (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Zechariah 9 : 9

Exsulta, filia Sion, lauda, filia Jerusalem : ecce, Rex Tuus venit sanctus et Salvator mundi.

English translation

Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion, shout for joy, o daughter of Jerusalem. Behold your King comes, holy, the Saviour of the world.

Communion (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 97 : 3

Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri.

English translation

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Post-Communion Prayer

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Da nobis, quaesumus, Domine, Deus noster : ut, qui Nativitatem Domini nostri Jesu Christi mysterii nos frequentare gaudemus; dignis conversationibus ad ejus mereamur pervenire consortium. Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Lord our God, that we, who rejoice to celebrate with these mysteries the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, may deserve by worthy living to attain His companionship. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Hujus nos, Domine, sacramenti semper novitas natalis instauret : cujus Nativitas singularis humanam reppulit vetustatem. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May the Christmas renewal of this sacrament ever restore us, o Lord, Whose miraculous birth did put away the ancient things of mankind. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut natus hodie Salvator mundi, sicut divinae nobis generationis est auctor; ita et immortalitatis sit ipse largitor : Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation
Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that, as the Saviour of the world, born on this day, is unto us the Author of divine generation, so He may also be the bestower of immortality. He Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Gospel (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 1-14

In illo tempore : Exiit edictum a Caesare Augusto, ut describeretur universus orbis. Haec descripto prima facta est a praeside Syriae Cyrino : et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilaea de civitate Nazareth, in Judaeam in civitatem David, quae vocatur Bethlehem : eo quod esset de domo et familia David, ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore praegnante.

Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies, ut pareret. Et peperit Filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in praesepio : quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum.

Et ecce, Angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno. Et dixit illis Angelus : Nolite timere : ecce enim, evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo : quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David.

Et hoc vobis signum : Invenientis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in praesepio. Et subito facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiae caelestis, laudantium Deum et dicentium : Gloria in Altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

English translation

At that time, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Quirinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and the family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with Child.

And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.

And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them, “Do not fear, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people, for on this day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.”

“And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

Gospel (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 15-20

In illo tempore : Pastores loquebantur ad invicem : Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis. Et venerunt festinantes : et invenerunt Mariam et Joseph, et Infantem positum in praesepio.

Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de Puero hoc. Et omnes, qui audierunt, mirati sunt : et de his, quae dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos. Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec, conferens in corde suo. Et reversi sunt pastores, glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus, quae audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.

English translation

At that time, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord had shown to us.” And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.

And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child. And all who heard wondered, and at those things that were told to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Gospel (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Initium Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 1 : 1-14

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt : et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est : in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum : et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.

Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus Eum non cognovit.

In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in Nomine Ejus : qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.

(Genuflect)

ET VERBO CARO FACTUM EST, et habitavit in nobis : et vidimus gloriam Ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.

English translation

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shone in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to give testimony of the Light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the Light, but was to give testimony of the Light. That was the true Light which enlightened every men that came into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him.

He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as those who received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, to those who believe in His Name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the Flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(Genuflect)

AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us. And we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 109 : 3, 1 and Psalm 2 : 7

Tecum principium in die virtutis Tuae : in splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui Te.

Response : Dixit Dominus Domino meo : Sede a dextris Meis : donec ponam inimicos Tuos, scabellum pedum Tuorum.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus dixit ad Me : Filius Meus es Tu, Ergo hodie genui Te. Alleluja.

English translation

With You is the principality in the day of Your strength in the brightness of the saints, from the womb before the day-star I have begotten You.

Response : The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had said to Me, You are My Son, this day I have begotten You. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Psalm 117 : 26-27, 23 and Psalm 92 : 1

Benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini : Deus Dominus, et illuxit nobis.

Response : A Domino factum est istud : et est mirabile in oculis nostris.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus regnavit, decorem induit : induit Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se virtute. Alleluja.

English translation

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, the Lord is God, and He had shone upon us.

Response : This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord is clothed with strength, and had girded Himself with power. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 97 : 3, 2 and Tradition of the Faith

Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri : jubilate Deo, omnis terra.

Response : Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum : ante conspectum gentium revelavit justitiam suam.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis : venite, gentes, et adorate Dominum : quia hodie descendit lux magna super terram. Alleluja.

English translation

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sing joyfully to God all the earth.

Response : The Lord had made known His salvation, He had revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : A hallowed day had dawned for us, come all of you, Gentiles, and adore the Lord, for this day a great light had descended upon the earth. Alleluia.

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Epistle (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus

Titus 2 : 11-15

Carissime : Apparuit gratia Dei Salvatoris nostri omnibus hominibus, erudiens nos, ut, abnegantes impietatem et saecularia desideria, sobrie et juste et pie vivamus in hoc saeculo, exspectantes beatam spem et adventum gloriae magni Dei et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi : qui dedit semetipsum pro nobis : ut nos redimeret ab omni iniquitate, et mundaret sibi populum acceptabilem, sectatorem bonorum operum. Haec loquere et exhortare : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the grace of God our Saviour had appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Epistle (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus

Titus 3 : 4-7

Carissime : Apparuit benignitas et humanitas Salvatoris nostri Dei : non ex operibus justitiae, quae fecimus nos, sed secundum suam misericordiam salvos nos fecit per lavacrum regenerationis et renovationis Spiritus Sancti, quem effudit in nos abunde per Jesum Christum, Salvatorem nostrum : ut, justificati gratia ipsius, heredes simus secundum spem vitae aeternae : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour had appeared, not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Spirit, Whom He had poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs according to hope of life everlasting in Christ Jesus, our Lord

Epistle (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Hebraeos – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews

Hebrews 1 : 1-12
Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in Prophetis : novissime diebus istis locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit heredem universorum, per quem fecit et saecula : qui cum sit splendor gloriae, et figura substantiae Ejus, portansque omnia verbo virtutis suae, purgationem peccatorum faciens, sedet ad dexteram majestatis in excelsis : tanto melior Angelis effectus, quanto differentius prae illis Nomen hereditavit.

Cui enim dixit aliquando Angelorum : Filius Meus es Tu, Ego hodie genui Te? Et rursum : Ego ero illi in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium? Et cum iterum introducit Primogenitum in orbem terrae, dicit : Et adorent eum omnes Angeli Dei. Et ad Angelos quidem dicit : Qui facit Angelos suos spiritus, et ministros suos flammam ignis.

Ad Filium autem : Thronus Tuus, Deus, in saeculum saeculi : virga aequitatis, virga regni Tui. Dilexisti justitiam et odisti iniquitatem : propterea unxit Te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo exsultationis prae participibus tuis. Et : Tu in principio, Domine, terram fundasti : et opera manuum Tuarum sunt caeli.

Ipsi peribunt, Tu autem permanebis; et omnes ut vestimentum veterascent : et velut amictum mutabis eos, et mutabuntur : Tu autem idem ipse es, et anni Tui non deficient.

English translation

God, Who diversely and in many ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days had spoken to us, by His Son, Whom He had appointed Heir of all things, by Whom He had also made the world. He Who being the brightness of His glory, and the figure of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, making purgation of sins, sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the Angels, as He had inherited a more excellent Name than theirs.

For to which of the Angels had He said at any time, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You?” And again, “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?” And again, when He brings in the first begotten into the world, He said, “And let all the Angels of God adore Him.” And to the Angels indeed He said, He Who made His Angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

But to the Son, “Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of Your kingdom. You have loved justice, and hated iniquity, therefore God, Your God, had anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.” And, “You in the beginning, o Lord, had founded the earth. And the works of Your hands are the heavens.”

“They shall perish, but You shall continue, and they shall all grow old as a garment, and as a vesture shall You change them, and they shall be changed, and You are the self same, and Your years shall not fail.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Sunday, 25 December 2022 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Introit (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 2 : 7 and 1

Dominus dixit ad me : Filius Meus es Tu, ego hodie genui Te.

Quare fremuerunt gentes : et populi meditati sunt inania?

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

The Lord had said to Me, “You are My Son, and this day I have begotten You.”

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introit (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Isaiah 9 : 2, 6 and Psalm 92 : 1

Lux fulgebit hodie super nos quia natus est nobis Dominus : et vocabitur Admirabilis, Deus, Princeps pacis, Pater futuri saeculi : cujus regni non erit finis.

Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est : indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

A light shall shine upon us this day, for the Lord is born to us and He shall be called wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come, of Whose reign there shall be no end.

The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord is clothed with strength, and had girded Himself.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introit (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Isaiah 9 : 6 and Psalm 97 : 1

Puer natus est nobis, et Filius datus est nobis cujus imperium super humerum Ejus : et vocabitur Nomen Ejus magni consilii Angelus.

Cantate Domino canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, Whose government is upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called, the Angel of great counsel.

Sing all of you to the Lord a new canticle, because He had done wonderful things.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Collect (Christmas Midnight Mass)
Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere : da, quaesumus; ut, cujus lucis mysteria in terra cognovimus, ejus quoque gaudiis in caelo perfruamur : Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O God, Who has brightened this most holy night with the shining of the true light, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy in heaven the delights of Him Whose mystical light we have known on earth. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect (Christmas Mass at Dawn)
Da nobis, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut, qui nova incarnati Verbi Tui luce perfundimur; hoc in nostro resplendeat opere, quod per fidem fulget in mente. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that we who are filled with the new light of Your incarnate Word, may show forth in our deeds that which by faith shone in our minds. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect (Christmas Daytime Mass)
Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut nos Unigeniti Tui nova per carnem Nativitas liberet; quos sub peccati jugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation
Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Your only begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage had hold under the yoke of sin. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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Wednesday, 21 December 2022 : 4th Week of Advent, Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we listened to the words of the Scriptures reminding all of us to focus on the coming of the Lord Who has come to dwell among His people and how we, as those who are so fortunate to have been given such a great grace from God, should be ever grateful and appreciative of everything that He had done for our sake, from the very beginning until now. And as we continue to come ever closer to the season and celebrations of Christmas, we are constantly being reminded of why we rejoice this upcoming Christmas and what it is that we are all celebrating about. It is not about ourselves and our desires for merrymaking and festivities, all the joy and parties that we are celebrating Christmas for, but rather we rejoice because God’s love and mercy have been shown to us in the most concrete ways possible in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of Song of Songs, we heard the words of the joy that a lover had found in discovering the true love, which was in fact a reference to mankind and their love for God. It was in fact the Lord speaking directly to all of us, His beloved people, the ones whom He loves dearly, of the joyous and happy days that will come our way, when our Lord will come to us and we will walk in His Presence once again, with the fullness of joy, and with the shame and the veil of sin have been lifted up from us, and death and destruction no longer hold their power and dominion over us. God has always reached out to us and sought for us, seeking to reconcile us with Himself, and in doing so, He sent us His own begotten and beloved Son, to be our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the account of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, her cousin, which happened because Mary heard from the Archangel Gabriel that Elizabeth, even in her old age and way past childbearing age, was bearing a child, who would be St. John the Baptist, the Herald of the Messiah. Meanwhile, Mary herself was in fact also bearing within her, her own Son, the Son of God just as the Archangel Gabriel had announced to her earlier on at the same occasion in Nazareth. It was the moment when God finally fulfilled the promises which He had promised mankind since the very beginning, that He would send unto them a Saviour, to deliver all of them from the hands of Satan, the dominion and bondage under sin, evil and death. Through the Son that Mary had borne within her, God will save all of His people.

Elizabeth herself, filled with the Holy Spirit and great joy, recognised Mary and the One she bore within her the very moment that she encountered her. She was thankful for the opportunity to be in the very presence of the Mother of God, to bring forth the Saviour Himself so close to her. Her own baby, St. John the Baptist, who was also still in her womb, also recognised his Lord and Master in the womb of Mary. Then, we heard as in our Psalm today, the glorious and most joyful words of Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat, praising God for all that He had done for His people, and the grace He has bestowed on all of us mankind, and also for herself, to be the Mother of God and Saviour, bringing for His salvation to all the people, fulfilling the many promises and the Covenant that He had made with all of us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we reflect on these words of the Scriptures, we can clearly see that there is that sense of great joy that should also be present in each one of us, as we await the imminent coming of our Lord and Saviour, just as He has come into this world and entered our human history two millennia ago. As we draw now already so close to Christmas and the end of the current preparatory season of Advent, we really ought to be asking ourselves, if God is truly at the centre of our lives and existence? Is God truly our Lover, the One Whom we truly we love with all of our hearts and might, the One to Whom we give our fealty and heartiest obedience, with the greatest devotion and commitment? Is God the One Whom we truly celebrate this Christmas and all of its joyful festivities, as we should?

Or have we instead allowed the many temptations of this world to distract us and to prevent us from finding our path towards God? Have we allowed the many excesses of worldly and secular Christmas festivities and celebrations to distract us and make us forget of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place? That is why today’s Scripture readings serve to remind us all that Christmas is truly all about Christ, of God’s Love made manifest and tangible to us through His Son, that we may truly come to Him, approach Him and be cared by Him, our loving God and Shepherd, Who embraced each one of us and is willing to forgive us all our many sins and faults. He has always loved us all, without exception, and we truly should do our best to do the same, beginning first of all by remembering this Love at our Christmas celebrations this year.

Not only that, but we should also be ever more exemplary Christians in our way of life and deeds, following the good examples of the saints, our holy predecessors. And today we have a great example in St. Peter Canisius, holy Priest and one of the venerable Doctors of the Church, through whom many people had great inspiration and strength, hope and perseverance because of his many hard works and efforts, his patient teaching and ministry among the people who have gone wayward in their faith and lives. St. Peter Canisius was one of the founders of the Jesuits or the Society of Jesus, who was close friend of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Peter Canisius hence became an integral part and member of the Jesuits, and was tasked with the conversion of all those who had lapsed and broken away from the Church during the height of the Protestant reformation.

St. Peter Canisius carried out his mission patiently, and went through many places in what is today Switzerland and Germany, preaching the word of God and establishing Jesuit institutions and also put a lot of emphasis on Catholic education and teaching, as according to him, it was poor understanding of the faith that led to many Christians falling away from the Church and its teachings and embracing false ideas and heresies that were aplenty at that time, as various dissidents proclaimed their own versions of the Christian faith and led many to the wrong paths. St. Peter Canisius calmly and patiently reached out to all those who have left the Church while caring for those who still remained in the Church, and expressly warned against actions that can be considered hostile or violent against those who have separated themselves from the Church could backfire and make things worse. In his own words, he said that ‘with words like these, we don’t cure patients, we make them incurable.’

St. Peter Canisius emphasised on proper teaching, catechism and better understanding and appreciation of the faith as the way to lead the people of God back to Him, and he was also credited with his famous Catechism, through which countless multitudes of people have believed in the Lord and knew more about Him, returning back from their rebellious path and being reconciled with God. These were just some of the many other great deeds that St. Peter Canisius had done, and which all of us should also therefore be inspired to follow in our own lives as well. We are all called and reminded to be focused on God and to dedicate our lives and works to Him just as St. Peter Canisius himself had done. Are we able to do that, brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we willing and able to commit our time and effort to serve the Lord and to honour Him at all times?

Let us all therefore do our best to do what we can to be ever more faithful and committed to God, in everything we say and do, in our every actions and interactions with one another. Let us also make our upcoming Christmas celebrations one that is truly centred on Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, that each and every one of us may become inspirations and source of strength for one another to be the beacons of God’s hope and light in the midst of our communities, walking in the same path that our holy predecessors had walked, especially that of St. Peter Canisius. May the Lord be with us always and may He bless our every good works and endeavours, all for His greater glory. Amen.

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Wednesday, 21 December 2022 : 4th Week of Advent, Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Luke 1 : 39-45

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the Fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”